Friday, October 26, 2012

MORE THAN two dozen
people are behind bars — including the son of reputed mafia boss “Vinny Gorgeous” — after
authorities busted up an illegal sports gambling ring, authorities announced
Thursday.

The mob-connected ring
stretched across five states and manipulated sports betting lines set by Las
Vegas oddsmakers, officials said.

“Internet gambling has
been compared by many to the crack epidemic of the early ’80s,” said Queens
District Attorney Richard Brown, adding that the enterprises are often
connected to other violent crimes.

The arrests, announced
with the unsealing of a 250-page indictment, came after an 18-month probe of
the massive enterprise that netted more than $50 million in wagers on various
sporting events.

One of the suspects
cuffed was Vincent Basciano Jr. — the son of Bonnano crime family boss Vincent “Vinny Gorgeous” Basciano, who is serving two
life terms in prison for two murders. Eight of the 25 people collared lived in
Queens.

The busts resulted in
the seizure of property and more than $7.6 million in cash and gambling chips,
authorities said.